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Additional Photos
side
rhinophores
branchia
more orange
young
on food sponge
egg mass
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GALLERY
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Ardeadoris poliahu (Bertsch &
Gosliner, 1989)
Maximum size: 57 mm.
Identification:
The
body
of
this species is translucent tan to light orange with many
tiny, slightly raised white flecks on the notum. Small
ring-shaped areas lacking white flecks with single white flecks in
their centers give
the appearance of pale ocellations. The white mantle margin, which
overhangs the
foot, is highly convoluted and is edged with yellow-orange. The
rhinophores are translucent tan with longitudinal rust-orange lines
on their anterior and posterior faces. The gills are cream-colored
with
longitudinal rust-orange lines.
Natural history:
Ardeadoris poliahu
is a moderately rare species typically found in caverns or on shaded
cliffs. It lives in moderately
protected to highly exposed locations at
depths of 3-72 m (10-238 ft) and is one of several chromodorids that
vibrate their gills. It lays a ruffled, cream egg mass irregularly
mottled with darker yellow and probably feeds on a cream sponge.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau: possibly known from
Thailand.
Taxonomic notes:
This
species
is
listed as "snowflake" in Bertsch and
Johnson, 1981 and was first recorded in Hawaii from Pupukea, Oahu by
Scott
Johnson and Hans Bertsch on May 26, 1978. It was named for the Hawaiian
snow goddess of Mauna Kea, Poli‘ahu
due to the frosting of
white flecks on its notum. It's listed as Glossodoris poliahu (corrected in 2019 printing) and is referred to as the "snow-goddess
nudibranch" in Hoover, 1998 & 2006.
Photo: PF: 26
mm: Makena, Maui; Aug. 19, 2008.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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